Stephanie Candley

On September 5, 1973, Stephanie Nicole Candley made her grand entrance into the world at the Candley family's home across the street from Washington Middle School. Stephanie is the firstborn to the union of the late Michael D. Candley Sr. and Joy "Joyce" Wilson-Candley; this made her the "OLDEST COUSIN," and it is a fact that she made well known.

Stephanie was a lifetime member of Freewill Baptist Church under the leadership of her grandfather, Rev. James "Pawpaw Rev" Candley, and Pastor Alvin McGhee. She served in the choir, adding her vocals to the soprano section. Stephanie graduated from El Dorado High School in 1992. Stephanie worked at Con Agra, El Dorado Paper Bag Manufacturing Co., in security, Candley's Cookin', and Blue Cross Blue Shield, to name a few.

Stephanie treated any child around her as her own, especially her beloved nieces and nephews. She also had a hand in raising a few of them. Stephanie lived her life by the five F's. Faith: she kept in until the very end. Family: she didn't play about any of us because she is "THE OLDEST COUSIN." Food: as the self-proclaimed family food critic, it better be right, or she would let you know! Friends: known as "Big Sexy" with a bubbly personality, she didn't meet a stranger. Fun: whether cards, dominoes, dancing, or singing, a good time would be had when she was around. Fight: every rose has its thorns, and if you rubbed her the wrong way, you would feel it.

On Friday, August 9, 2024, Stephanie's fight came to a rest at UAMS in Little Rock, AR. She is preceded in departure by her father, Michael D. Candley Sr.; paternal grandparents, Rev. James Candley and Dorothy Mae Daniel-Lewis; maternal grandfather, Melvin Pigg; uncles, Tommy Candley and James Candley; and aunt, Ruth Candley-McElroy.

Her memories will forever be cherished by her mother, Joyce Wilson-Candley; grandmother, Pearlie Wilson-Candley; brothers, Shunn Harris, Michael Candley Jr., and Rodriquez (Shunta) Candley; sister, LaTonya Wilson-Wade; several uncles, aunts, nephews, nieces, great-nephews, great-nieces, cousins, and an abundance of friends.